Andhra Pradesh Bureaucratic Transition: Outgoing Chief Secretary K Vijayanand Likely to Be Reappointed as Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary; G Sai Prasad to Assume Charge as Next Chief Secretary from March 1, 2026
In a major administrative development, Andhra Pradesh Chief Secretary K Vijayanand (IAS: 1992: WB), who is scheduled to retire on January 31, 2026, is expected to be reappointed as Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary to the state government. Sources indicate that Vijayanand will continue to oversee the Energy Department, a portfolio he has managed even during his tenure as Chief Secretary, underscoring his pivotal role in steering the state’s energy policy.
G Sai Prasad to Take Over as Chief Secretary
Guttapalli Sai Prasad (IAS: 1991: AP), currently serving as Special Chief Secretary of the Water Resources Department, has been designated to succeed Vijayanand as the next Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh effective March 1, 2026.
Sai Prasad brings extensive administrative experience spanning both state and central government assignments, particularly in the domains of water management and energy policy. His appointment marks a smooth transition in the state’s top bureaucracy following Vijayanand’s retirement.
Vijayanand to Continue as Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary
Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu has reportedly decided to retain Vijayanand in the ex-officio cadre for an additional year. Remarkably, even while serving as Chief Secretary, Vijayanand continued to hold charge of the Energy Department, a rare arrangement in Indian bureaucracy where Chief Secretaries typically do not manage additional portfolios.
The decision to extend his role is attributed to his vast expertise in executing energy projects and his instrumental contribution in attracting large-scale green energy investments to Andhra Pradesh.
Profile: Guttapalli Sai Prasad
Date of Birth: May 6, 1966, Andhra Pradesh
Education: M.Tech from IIT Delhi; Postgraduate in International Development Policy from Duke University, USA
Service Entry: Cleared UPSC Civil Services Examination in 1990; joined IAS at age 25
Career Highlights
Current Role: Special Chief Secretary, Water Resources Department; Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister
Chief Secretary (Designate): Will succeed Vijayanand from March 1, 2026
Previous Roles
Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu (2014–2019)
CMD of APCPDCL and EPDPCL; Joint MD of APTRANSCO
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Power, Government of India
Collector of Chittoor and Kurnool districts
Chief Commissioner of Land Administration (CCLA)
Municipal Commissioner, Guntur
Sai Prasad is widely respected for his technical expertise, integrity, and non-controversial leadership style, making him a trusted figure in Andhra Pradesh’s administrative landscape. His official retirement date is December 31, 2026, though extensions may be considered depending on government requirements.
Profile: K Vijayanand
K Vijayanand, a 1992-batch IAS officer from Andhra Pradesh, is a distinguished bureaucrat with over three decades of service. An M.Tech graduate, he cleared the UPSC Civil Services Examination in 1991 and began his career in 1993 as Assistant Collector of Adilabad.
Career Milestones
Served as District Collector of Srikakulam and Nalgonda
Chief Electoral Officer of Andhra Pradesh
Managing Director of APGENCO and Chairman & MD of APTRANSCO
Principal Secretary for IT & Electronics (2016–2019), attracting major tech firms like HCL and TCL to the state
In a historic achievement, Vijayanand became the first person from the Backward Classes (BC) community to serve as Chief Secretary of Andhra Pradesh, assuming charge on December 31, 2024, and receiving a three-month extension into early 2026.
He is particularly recognized for his leadership in the energy and IT sectors, including his role in formulating the Andhra Pradesh Integrated Clean Energy Policy, 2024, which set an ambitious target of 160 GW renewable energy capacity.
Born on November 18, 1965, in Kadapa district, Vijayanand’s career reflects a blend of administrative excellence, sectoral expertise, and pioneering leadership in governance.
Transition and Administrative Continuity
The reappointment of Vijayanand as Ex-Officio Special Chief Secretary ensures continuity in the energy sector while facilitating a seamless transition to Sai Prasad as Chief Secretary. This dual arrangement highlights the government’s strategy of leveraging experienced bureaucrats to manage critical portfolios, balancing administrative efficiency with sectoral expertise.
